Dessert for breakfast? Yes, please! Based off of Kelly LeVeque’s Fab Four Smoothie Formula, this nourishing smoothie contains all essential nutrients designed to satisfy your sweet tooth, balance your blood sugar, and keep you full for 3-4 hours.
We cover all bases with protein, fab, fiber, and greens, giving you a full meal replacement for breakfast. To learn more about why and how it works, you can learn more about the Fab Four here.
Ingredient Analysis
How often are you checking food labels? Here are some recommendations for things to look for the next time you’re buying ingredients, as well as some tips on how to store, and save. For nutrition information, you can refer to the bottom of the recipe.
Jump to RecipeLIQUID: Unsweetened, Dairy-free Nut Milk
When purchasing nut milks, I look for brands that use minimal ingredients. Watch out for added sugars, processed fillers, and industrial seed oils. After transitioning out of almond milk to lower my consumption, I’ve been loving Milkadamia’s Unsweetened Macadamia Milk. Macadamia nuts have a higher fat content, which is another bonus for me. I will usually stock up when there’s a sale at Whole Foods, or order bulk from Thrive Market so I always have some at hand.
PROTEIN: Chocolate Protein Powder
The key to a delicious smoothie is a tasty protein powder. Personally, I tend to avoid dairy when possible, so a collagen protein powder (vs. whey) works well for me. I’ve used the Primal Kitchen’s Chocolate Coconut Collagen Peptide Protein Powder for years because it’s delicious. It’s a staple I often recommend to others.
Plant-based or Vegan friends: Truvani makes a clean protein with only 6 ingredients (it’s organic too).
TIP: If you’re like me and don’t have much of a sweet tooth (well, at the moment) feel free to use half chocolate protein and half unflavored protein. I’m currently blending the Primal Kitchen’s Chocolate Coconut Collagen with Be Well by Kelly LeVeque’s unflavored grass-fed beef protein powder.
FAT: nut BUTTER
Similar to nut milks, I also look for minimal ingredients when buying nut butters. I avoid added sugars, industrial seed oils, and fillers when possible. I love the squeezable pouches from Thrive Market because 1) less dishes 2) convenience. No more stirring (what feels like) a tub of cement!
FIBER: FLAXSEED MEAL (ground flaxseed)
Flaxseeds are my choice for thinner smoothies, compared to chia seeds which are more viscous. If you prefer a thicker, more gelatinous texture, chia seeds would be a good choice for you!
TIP: If you are using ground flaxseeds or ground chia seeds, it’s best to store them in the fridge. When seeds are split, the oils are more prone to oxidation. Storing in the fridge will prevent the oils from spoiling. Flax or chia seeds in their full seed are less of a risk and don’t necessarily need to be stored in the fridge, because the outer layer acts as a barrier between the oil and air. If you’re short on fridge space, a cool, dark, dry spot is fine too. Just take note of the expiration date.
GREENS: SPINACH
Spinach has a very mild taste in smoothies, which is why it’s great starter ‘greens’ choice. Feel free to experiment and add any veggies you have at hand, like kale, zucchini, or frozen riced cauliflower (if not riced, make sure to blender well!). Anything that has a mild taste and isn’t bitter would work well here. One handful is a starting point, but really, the more the merrier!
TIP: You can use fresh or frozen spinach. I prefer washing and freezing spinach myself – it’s often cheaper to buy it this way, and freezing will extend its shelf life. Pre-frozen spinach is oftentimes condensed into clumps and as a result, might make your smoothie lumpy.
BONUS Greens: MINT
When consumed in large quantities, mint is a good source of vitamin A, and may help relieve indigestion. However, depending on how strong the flavor of your mint is, I recommend starting small with a few leaves then adding more to taste. I’ve definitely gotten too excited and overdone it on the mint (and it was neither a fun nor tasty experience!)
BONUS SUPERFOODS: CACAO NIBS
Cacao nibs are rich in iron, magnesium, manganese, copper, zinc, phosphorous as well as flavonoid antioxidants. They’re linked to having anti-inflammatory properties, may boost immunity, and improve heart health. When adding superfoods to your smoothie, aim to add up to 1 tbsp. I like adding cacao nibs toward the end of my blend, so I get more of a crunchy texture in my smoothie.
Mint Chocolate Chip Smoothie (Vegan, Paleo, Whole30)
Equipment
- Blender
Materials
- 1.5 c Milkadamia Macadamia Milk, unsweetened or unsweetened, dairy-free milk of choice
- 22 g Primal Kitchen Collagen Fuel Chocolate Coconut Protein Powder (2 scoops) or chocolate protein powder of choice
- 2 tbps Thrive Market Almond Butter, unsweetened or nut butter of choice
- 2 tbsp flax seed meal or fiber of choice
- 1 handful spinach
- ¼ cup mint leaves, loosely packed adjust as needed
- 1 tbsp cacao nibs
Instructions
- Add 1.5 cups of your unsweetened liquid of choice to the blender.
- Add remaining ingredients to blender, except for cacao nibs. Blend for around 20 seconds.
- At 1 tbsp of cacao nibs and blend for another 10 seconds, or until desired consistency.
Notes
- Unsweetened, Dairy-free Nut Milk – When purchasing nut milk, I look for minimal ingredients. Watch out for added sugars, processed fillers, and industrial seed oils.
- Chocolate Protein Powder
- Plant-based or Vegan friends: Truvani makes a clean protein with only 6 ingredients (it’s organic too).
- TIP: If you don’t have as much of a sweet tooth (like me), feel free to use half chocolate protein and half unflavored.
- Almond Butter – Similar to nut milks, I search for minimal ingredients when buying nut butters. I avoid added sugars, industrial seed oils, and fillers as much as possible.
- Flaxseed Meal – Flaxseeds are my choice in smoothies compared to chia seeds. If you’re looking for a thicker, more gelatinous texture, chia seeds would be a good choice!
- Spinach – Spinach has a very mild taste in smoothies. Feel free to any greens you veggies at hand, like kale, zucchini, or even cauliflower (if not riced, make sure to blend well!).
- Mint – I recommend starting small with a few leaves then adding. I’ve definitely overdone it on the mint (and it was not a fun experience!)
- Cacao Nibs – Add up to 1 tbsp. I like adding cacao nibs toward the end of my blend, so I get more of a crunchy texture in my smoothie.
Nutrition
References to mint and cacao nibs benefits are adapted from Healthline.
